Costa Rica Rainforest Rafting & Conservation Trek
Wilderness medicine on the wild Pacuare.
World-class whitewater, hands-on wilderness medicine and a rainforest lodge—with a chance to give back to the local guiding community.
November 2–7, 2026 · Optional extension through November 8
The trek at a glance: Pacuare rafting, rainforest lodge life, hands-on wilderness medicine and conservation. Choose the regular trip or stay for the extended local guide-training day.
Costa Rica Rainforest Whitewater Rafting and Conservation Trek
Pura Vida!
Join us for an extraordinary Wilderness Medicine educational experience in Costa Rica—where world-class whitewater rafting, stunning jungle landscapes, and hands-on medical training come together. This trek takes you to Rios Lodge, located in the rainforest on the Pacuare River in Costa Rica. This unique location will allow for a hands-on, immersive educational experience. This adventure combines expert-led educational sessions with a thrilling river expedition, and rainforest exploration, giving you the chance to refine your skills in one of the most biodiverse environments on Earth.
Who should join?
This trip is designed for:
- Physicians, PAs, NPs, paramedics, and medical professionals looking to expand their wilderness medicine expertise
- Adventurers eager to hone their clinical skills in extreme environments
- Medical students and trainees looking for an unforgettable, hands-on educational experience
What’s included?
- Expert wilderness medicine instruction
- Lodge meals and hotel breakfasts; lodging and guided activities
- Transportation within Costa Rica, including airport transfers
- Whitewater rafting and rainforest treks
Not included: International airfare, other meals in San José, personal travel insurance, and gratuity
Itinerary
- Day 1 Nov 2nd: Arrive in Costa Rica
- Included shared airport-to-hotel transfer; see the participant guide for pickup instructions.
- Arrival-night lodging is included at DoubleTree by Hilton Cariari San José, San Antonio de Belén / Ciudad Cariari. Rooms are double occupancy.
- Meet your fellow participants and faculty
- Day 2 Nov 3rd: Raft the Pacuare, arrive at Rios Lodge
- Breakfast at the hotel, followed by the included transfer to the river and rafting into Ríos Lodge.
- Navigate exhilarating rapids with expert guides
- Lunch and afternoon lectures
- Day 3 Nov 4th: Lectures and exploring
- Early morning canopy tours
- Creek exploration hike and swim
- Afternoon lectures
- Night hike with local guides to identify rainforest flora and fauna
- Day 4 Nov 5th: Lectures and exploring
- Patient movement workshop- getting your patient out of the rainforest
- Conservation hike and tree planting
- Dinner and evening lectures
- Day 5 Nov 6th: Follow your registered itinerary:
- 1) Extended itinerary: help teach a free wilderness first aid workshop to local guides.
- 2) Regular itinerary: raft out and take the included return transfer to the same DoubleTree Cariari. Double-occupancy lodging on November 6 and the shared shuttle to SJO for your planned November 7 flight home are included.
- Day 6 Nov 7th: All remaining guests depart Rios Lodge
- Raft out of the lodge
- Extended itinerary: the return transfer to the same DoubleTree Cariari, double-occupancy lodging on November 7, and the shared hotel shuttle to SJO for your planned November 8 flight home are included.
- Guests who departed the lodge Nov 6 fly home
- Day 7 Nov 8th: All remaining guests fly home
Participants will be responsible for their own transportation to and from Costa Rica. Once in San José, your included arrival shuttle takes you to DoubleTree by Hilton Cariari San José, where you will meet your fellow participants and faculty. You will be picked up by bus in San Jose, where the course will begin with a bus ride to the river. During the bus ride, your faculty and local guides will introduce you to the history of conservation in Costa Rica. Participants will then take a raft trip down exciting class II-III rapids to the Rios Lodge. During their trip, faculty will begin instruction of wilderness medicine skills, and give riverside presentations on relevant medical topics. You will also learn fundamentals of river safety and swift water rescue.
Once at the lodge, the participants will have an evening lecture after getting settled into their rainforest accommodations. The following 2 days will be filled with a variety of educational programs, including lectures and hands-on workshops on wilderness and emergency medicine topics related to tropical and river travel. Participants will also have sessions on ecology and conservation. They will participate in a tree planting event and learn about climate change and health.
Regular participants raft out November 6, stay at the included DoubleTree Cariari that night and fly home November 7. Extended participants remain at Ríos Lodge on November 6 for the local guide-training workshop, then raft out November 7, return to the same hotel and fly home November 8. The outbound Pacuare journey brings Class III–IV rapids and a riverside lunch. Flights are the day after you leave the lodge.
On the fifth day all remaining students will raft out, where they will have transportation back to San Jose or continue on with in-country travel. Options include exclusive access to Central America’s first downhill mountain bike park (45 minutes outside San Jose), surfing on the west coast, or diving excursions on the Caribbean.
Included travel and full date details
2026 dates
- November 2-7, 2026
- Recommended travel is to arrive in Costa Rica on November 2nd. Without optional activities book departure travel from San Jose on November 7th.
- If planning to participate in optional activities book travel to depart San Jose on November 8th.
Travel essentials
Arrive at San José International Airport (SJO) on November 2, 2026. Registration includes two double-occupancy hotel nights at DoubleTree by Hilton Cariari San José: your arrival night and one return night before your planned flight home.
- Regular itinerary: leave Ríos Lodge and stay at the hotel November 6; fly home November 7.
- Extended + guide training: leave the lodge and stay at the hotel November 7; fly home November 8.
- Included transport: shared airport/hotel shuttles and scheduled hotel/river/lodge transfers in both directions, returning to the same hotel.
- Included meals: lodge meals and hotel breakfasts. Other meals in San José are at your own expense.
Plan to fly home the day after you leave the lodge. Extra hotel nights, private transfers and individual changes are only included if specifically agreed.
Already registered? Open the participant travel guide for pickup instructions, waivers, packing, return shuttles and the full travel FAQ.
Incredible food in the heart of the rainforest
One of the most unforgettable parts of this adventure is the incredible cuisine at Ríos Lodge. Despite being an entirely off-grid eco-resort, the dining experience is nothing short of world-class. Guests consistently rave about the fresh, locally sourced meals, which provide the perfect balance of nutrition and indulgence after long days of rafting, trekking, and hands-on learning.
Meals during the Ríos Lodge stay and hotel breakfasts are included; other meals in San José are at your own expense. Lodge dining features a mix of traditional Costa Rican flavors and international cuisine prepared by expert chefs. You’ll enjoy dishes crafted from fresh tropical fruits, locally sourced vegetables, and sustainably caught seafood, all served in a breathtaking open-air dining space surrounded by lush jungle.
What to expect
- Farm-to-table ingredients that highlight the best of Costa Rica’s vibrant culinary culture
- Hearty breakfasts with tropical fruits, fresh coffee, eggs, and homemade breads
- Satisfying lunches and dinners featuring local specialties like gallo pinto, fresh fish, plantains, and creative fusion dishes
- Accommodations for dietary needs – whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or have specific allergies, the chefs ensure that every meal is delicious and nourishing
Dining at Ríos Lodge isn’t just about the food—it’s about the experience. Whether you’re sipping morning coffee while watching toucans in the trees or enjoying a candlelit dinner under the stars, every meal enhances the magic of this off-grid wilderness retreat.
A glimpse of the adventure
Scenes from previous BRAM trips: river time, rainforest wildlife, lodge life and the people who make it.
Learning modules & objectives
Explore all learning modules and objectives
Tree Planting/Conservation Hike
- Appreciate the biodiversity local flora and fauna
- Appreciate importance of primary rainforest to the health of the planet
- Appreciate the importance of primary rainforest for migration of birds and mammals
- Create direct impact improving biological corridor via the Gallo Preserve.
Dangerous Plants and Animals of the Rainforest
- Describe the treatment of common envenomations in the tropics
- Recognize toxidromes of at least 2 toxic plants found in the rainforest
Drowning Lecture
- Identify at least 2 risk factors for drowning
- Define “drowning”
- Identify the treatment strategies for drowning in the field
- Describe criteria for evacuation of drowning patients
Night Hike
- Recognize common dangerous reptiles and insects in the rainforest
- Recognize toxic plants in the rainforest
Patient Movement Workshop
- Demonstrate proper techniques for moving incapacitated patients using improvised litters
- Describe common evacuation concerns using real-world examples from Rios Lodge
Preparing for Travel in the Tropics
- Discuss resources available for pre-trip planning
- Discuss current recommendations for chemoprophylaxis for malaria
- Discuss medical kits specific for tropical travel
- Discuss current vaccination recommendations for tropical travel
Infectious Disease in the Tropics
- Recognize signs and symptoms of diseases unique to the tropics
- Identify treatment strategies for tropical diseases
Update on Rabies
- Discuss global prevalence and common vectors for rabies
- Understand the current guidelines for rabies prophylaxis
Whitewater Injuries
- Describe the most common injuries on whitewater trips
- Demonstrate field reduction techniques for shoulder dislocation
Surf’s Up- Surfing Injuries
- Identify 3 common injuries in surfers
- Describe unique considerations for the treatment of common surfing injuries
Giving back
By participating in this trek, you are not only feeding your mind and your soul, but you are also supporting the local guiding community and the environment. Proceeds from this trek go directly to supporting ongoing projects to provide free wilderness medicine education to the local guiding community, drowning prevention education, and conservation of the rainforest through a partnership with the Rivers and Forests Alliance.
Pricing
Course fees
| Type of Room | 5 Night/ 6 Day | 6 Night/ 7 Day |
|---|---|---|
| EcoHostel- Bunk with shared bathroom | $1,600.00 | $1,736.00 |
Price includes all educational activities, transportation to and from San Jose, rafting into the lodge, meals during the Ríos Lodge stay and hotel breakfasts, as well as your accommodations. All taxes included.
The regular itinerary includes three nights at Ríos Lodge (November 3–5); the extended itinerary includes four nights (November 3–6) and the guide-training day. Both include two double-occupancy nights at DoubleTree by Hilton Cariari San José: November 2 plus November 6 for the regular itinerary, or November 2 plus November 7 for the extended itinerary. The return hotel night is before your planned flight home.
Price does not include alcoholic beverages at the lodge, other meals in San José, or flights to and from San Jose, Costa Rica. You may choose to depart Rios Lodge on November 6th to return home, or continue in-country adventures, visiting the coast, the cloud forest, or coffee plantations. Guests may also remain at the lodge for an additional day of optional activities described above. Guests should not book flights to return home on the same day they raft out of the lodge. Although guests usually arrive in San Jose by early afternoon, traffic is unpredictable, and we do not recommend return flights on the same day you depart the lodge.
Additional activities are available for additional cost and are arranged through Rios Lodge.
Discounted price also available for guests accompanying trek participants who will not be participating in the educational activities (family members, children, etc).
Reserve your spot today
Space is limited for this one-of-a-kind Wilderness Medicine adventure. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn, explore, and challenge yourself in one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. After submitting this registration form we will be in touch with you shortly. A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot.
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Costa Rica Trek 2026 Deposit
Price range: $625.00 through $868.00 -
Costa Rica Trek 2026 Final Payment
Price range: $625.00 through $868.00